Hershey Takes Baby Steps to Eliminate Child Labor

by , 02/08/12   filed under: green holiday ideas for kids, health & body, news, poll

Fair Trade certified chocolate, Fair Trade chocolate syrup, Fair Trade hot chocolate, Hershey, Hershey child labor, child trafficking, forced labor, Hershey candy, Hershey chocolate, best chocolate, organic chocolate, social chocolate, halloween candy, valentine's day candy

The Hershey company doesn’t have a very good social track record. Issues such as child labor, trafficking and forced labor and refusing to cite chocolate sources, as well as treats that clearly don’t meet environmental standards have earned Hershey the one and only F grade on Green America’s chocolate scorecard. Now, due to increasing consumer and child advocacy group pressures, Hershey has taken some itty bitty baby steps to improve their company. This week, Hershey announced that the company will begin purchasing cocoa certified by the Rainforest Alliance for its “Bliss” line of chocolates by the end of 2012. Hershey has also stated that they’ll be investing $10 million by 2017 to reduce child labor and improve cocoa supply in West Africa. All of this is good news, but it seems like small potatoes (or candy bars as the case may be). In fact, for years and years, many consumers and Fair Trade groups have been urging Hershey to make positive changes but Hershey has ignored everyone. This is the very first time Hershey has even admitted they need to improve. As Green America points out, “Since the “Bliss” line is a relatively small part of Hershey’s chocolate empire, this is a very small step for the Hershey company to take.” We agree. Not only can Hershey do way, way better, but until they do, there’s no reason for your family to support them.

Do you buy Hershey Chocolate?

  • 6 Votes No I refuse to support companies that condone child labor.
  • 1 Votes Sure, Hershey is available everywhere.
  • 8 Votes I used to, but I won't now.
  • 0 Votes This doesn't affect me at all.

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6 Amazing Treehouse Beds That Bring Magic to Bedtime

by , 02/08/12   filed under: eco decor, green design, green kids, kids furniture, treehouses

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Forgo Drugstore Valentines for Eco-Friendly Cards from Letter C Design

by , 02/07/12   filed under: green holiday ideas for kids, green kids

eco-friendly valentines, recycled paper, eco friendly valentines, class valentines, letter c design, fsc certified paper cards, fsc certified valentines, eco kids valentines

No time to make your own Valentines? We found some ready to buy options that are eco-friendly and adorable. Etsy designer Cindy Slater prints her Valentine offerings on FSC-certified cardstock. Choose from several different designs complete with clever and slightly corny (in a fun way!) sayings like owls that say “You whoo,” or monkeys that say, “I’m bananas for you!” These eco-friendly Valentines will trump the drugstore boxed cards any day!

+ Valentine Cards $9.50 for 12

+ Letter C Design

NEW! Perfect Bum Advanced Reusable Diaper System

by , 02/07/12   filed under: green baby, green diapers


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6 Adorable DIY Valentine’s Day Cards to Make for Your Love

by , 02/07/12   filed under: craft, green holiday ideas for kids, green kids, how-to

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GIVEAWAY: Win a Business of Being Born DVD Prize Pack Worth $109!

by , 02/07/12   filed under: contest, green maternity, green pregnancy

If there’s one movie you should watch before you give birth, it’s The Business of Being Born. The landmark documentary from executive producer Ricki Lake and filmmaker Abby Epstein explores childbirth and the modern maternity care system, offering a different perspective on all of the interventions that often happen during labor and delivery. Now, they’ve released a brand new 4-part series, More Business of Being Born, which takes a closer look at doulas, midwives, birthing options and VBACs. Plus, you’ll hear celebrity birth stories from Gisele Bundchen, Alanis Morisette, Cindy Crawford, Melissa Joan Hart and more. Read our review of the new series here. In celebration of the DVD’s release, we’re giving away the Mother Lode prize package, which includes the The Business of Being Born, More Business of Being Born, an organic cotton onesie, Your Best Birth signed by Lake and Epstein, and the National Guide to a Healthy Birth. Keep reading to find out how easy it is to enter for your chance to win!

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Banana Eco Felt Tree Offers Tropical Fun

by , 02/06/12   filed under: green kids, green toys

corduroy fruit tree, eco-felt, fabric tree, banana felt tree, tropical toys, island toys, tropical felt tree, banana tree toys, felt bananas, felt food, felt play food, felt play fruit, felt tree, little fruits, nursery decor, play food, play kitchen, plush fruit tree, you pick plush tree

A while back, LittleFruits Feltery blew us away with their amazingly creative, adorable and fun play felt tree. We never thought we’d see something as cute again, and yet… Now LittleFruits Feltery has added some tropical delight to their shop – the bright and colorful Banana Felt Tree. This cuter than cute tree will have your child playing treasure island in no time flat. A creative Velcro design allows kids to pick bananas right off the tree and then put them back on. Branches are bendable and the tree is made by hand with 100% eco-fi felt. Sorry folks, that mischievous little monkey doesn’t come with the tree, but we do love the idea! We can’t wait to see what LittleFruits Feltery comes up with next.

+ Banana Felt Tree

+ LittleFruits Feltery

HOW TO: Make Recycled Bottle Cap Valentine Magnets

by , 02/06/12   filed under: diy kids crafts, green holiday ideas for kids, green kids, how-to

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Do You Want the Government to Regulate Your Child’s Sugar Intake?

by , 02/06/12   filed under: eco toddler, green kids, health & body, kids health, news

 calories, childhood weight, childhood obesity, correct portion sizes, eating right, exercise, healthy food choices, healthy kids,sugar regulation, sugar tax, obese kids, overweight american, overweight children, portion control, weight gain, weight loss

Motherload posed an interesting question recently, “Should we regulate sugar to protect public health?” The question itself stems from a recent issue of the journal Nature, where public health experts report that plain old sugar is as toxic and just as dangerous for society as substances like alcohol and tobacco. The researchers, working out of University of California at San Francisco, aren’t wrong. Past research has compared junk food addiction to heroin addiction and some research shows that only regulating some sugar won’t work – you need whole community regulation to make a difference. And whole community regulation is exactly what these researchers think should happen. The Wall Street Journal reports that the study authors suggest taxing sugar, limiting sugar in schools, reducing sugary advertising, zoning ordinances for sugar and even placing age limits on the types of sugar-laden products kids can buy. But, is regulation the answer? Can’t parents limit their own child’s sugar intake? It is a very good question. So good in fact, that I asked our readers via the Inhabitots Facebook page, the very same question to see what they’d say.

Should the government regulate sugar intake?

  • 9 Votes Yes - the government should fully regulate sugar products.
  • 5 Votes They should regulate sugar content in some foods but not all.
  • 19 Votes No way - people should be allowed to regulate their own sugar intake.
  • 3 Votes I'm on the fence and can't decide.

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Wee Blossoms Felted Flower Hats for Fairy Loving Tots

by , 02/05/12   filed under: eco play, green kids, green toys

fairy hat, fairy costume, fairy wings, wool felt hat, cute hat, waldorf, fairy clothing, costume play, imaginative play

If you’ve got a little one who is overly enchanted with fairies, then how perfect is this sweet hat idea! Little ones will adore these charming flower blossom hats, and you have to admit, they’d look super adorable on a baby. Great for birthday parties, a photo opp (just add wings or some fairy-minded clothing) or use them for costume play. Each soft hat is wool felted in the USA. Available in fairy-perfect colors of yellow, orange, pink or periwinkle with a medium green stem. Comes in sizes for infants up to three years and for children ages three to ten years.

+ Wee Blossoms Felted Flower Hats $36.00

+ Palumba

Keep Your Tot Crusin With Manny & Simon’s Train Push Toy

by , 02/04/12   filed under: eco play, eco toddler, green design, green kids, green toys

 

If your tot is in the crawling and cruising stage, push toys are perfect for playtime. Manny & Simon recently added this four-car train to their already amazing array of sustainably made wooden rolling toys. Their collection of push toys is made from 100% post-industrial recycled wood residuals and painted with non-toxic, zero-VOC paint. This colorful toy is sure to keep your tot moving and groovin. Choo choo!

+ Train Push Toy $48

+ Manny & Simon

PCB Exposure During Pregnancy May Harm Babies’ Immune System

by , 02/03/12   filed under: health & body, prenatal

PCB Exposure, avoid, PCBs, chemical exposure, pregnancy exposure, chemicals in pregnancy, baby chemicals, toxic chemicals, safe fish for pregnancy, pregnancy fish, toxic fish, food safety pregnancy, immune system, immune problems, cancer, pregnancy food

New research shows that exposure to PCBs may result in some immune consequences for babies. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are a group of manufactured organic chemicals and researchers recently found that babies exposed to higher PCB levels during gestation and as newborns were born with a smaller immune organ – the thymus. At 6 months of age these babies still had a smaller organ. By 13 months, differences in immune organ sizes were no longer seen. The thymus is responsible for proper T-cells development and problems with the thymus can result in immune system dysfunction. For a baby, who already has a less efficient immune system, this is a problem. PCB exposure has also been linked to cancer, poor neurological development in children and reproduction problems. Now, what’s unique about this study is that PCBs are banned in the U.S. They’re no longer manufactured or even widely used, so how are mamas and babies being exposed?

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Susan G. Komen Issues Public Apology to Planned Parenthood

by , 02/03/12   filed under: health & body, news

abortion rights, anti-abortion, breast cancer funding, breast cancer research, breast cancer screening, Komen, planned parenthood, pro-choice, pro-life, Susan G. Komen, women advocates

It’s been a roller coaster week for Susan G. Komen and Planned Parenthood. On Tuesday, Komen cut off the funding they had been giving Planned Parenthood, which last year amounted to $700,000 – funding that was supporting breast cancer exams and breast education. Komen noted that the move was a policy issue, while Planned Parenthood and other women advocacy groups blamed the move on pressure Komen received via anti-abortion advocates. Almost immediately a Twitter war erupted and everyone, it seems, had something to say about the decision, although it mainly resulted in a massive flood of support for Planned Parenthood. New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg posted a statement against Komen’s decision and pledged $250,000 to Planned Parenthood. Oil tycoon Lee Fikes also donated $250,000, while Indie rock band, The Decemberists, pulled all funding from the Susan G. Komen Foundation, instead saying that they’re now pledging all future funds to Planned Parenthood’s Breast Health Emergency Fund. Today another turn of the tides though as Komen issues a public apology to Planned Parenthood.

Are you glad Komen reversed their decision about working with Planned Parenthood?

  • 10 Votes Yes - I'm glad the organizations will still be working together.
  • 122 Votes Yes - but I'm not sure if I trust Komen anymore.
  • 83 Votes No - Komen should have pulled out and stayed out.
  • 0 Votes I'm not sure.

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HOW TO: Make Gooey Vegan Carob Pudding

by , 02/03/12   filed under: cooking, healthy recipe, recipes, vegan cooking

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Kids Can Take a Spin with Whirleo To Save the Planet

by , 02/03/12   filed under: electronics, green kids


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Spread the Love with a Natural Wooden Love Puzzle by Manzanita Kids

Spread the Love with a Natural Wooden Love Puzzle by Manzanita Kids

Your kids, and you, will fall in love with this sweet and lovable block puzzle set from Manzanita Kids. While it’s likely too late to get this in time for Valentine’s Day, this wooden puzzle set is still a great find for everyday play. It will even make a wonderful baby shower or wedding gift. The four puzzle pieces …

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Areaware Dovetail Animals by Karl Zahn Can Be Mixed and Matched to Create New Creatures

Areaware Dovetail Animals by Karl Zahn Can Be Mixed and Matched to Create New Creatures

Areaware has brought us several awesome wood animals in the past like Hanno the Gorilla, Ursa the Bear and Hugo the Wild Boar all designed by David Weeks. Now Areaware and Karl Zahn have teamed up to bring you a beautiful collection of Dovetail Animals. Each wooden animal comes in three parts that fit together thanks to dovetail joints.

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Celebrate the Upcoming Change in Seasons with Groundhog Day

Celebrate the Upcoming Change in Seasons with Groundhog Day

According to North American folklore, on February 2nd, Groundhog Day, Punxsutawney Phil comes out of his burrow to predict the upcoming weather. If the groundhog comes out of his burrow on a cloudy day, he will leave the burrow signaling that spring is almost here. But if he sees his shadow and retreats back into his burrow, the legend says we can expect six more weeks of winter weather. Despite a mostly cloudy day in the Northeast, Phil saw his shadow this year so it looks like winter will keep dragging on. Read on to learn everything you need to know to discuss and celebrate Groundhog Day with your little ones.

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New Study Finds that Children’s Books Increasingly Fail to Incorporate Nature

New Study Finds that Children’s Books Increasingly Fail to Incorporate Nature

When I was a little girl, most of my favorite books had slices of nature incorporated. Pippi Longstocking climbed trees, shimmied up mountains, frolicked in the woods, sailed on lakes and had many other nature adventures. The girls of Little Women and Little House went ice skating, jumped in barns, held picnics and walked everywhere. My favorite kid-detectives even solved most of their cases by snooping around outside gathering clues. In fact, even the more modern books I enjoyed showcased kids outside, doing typical kid-minded activities like building forts, walking to school, camping and more. Kids today, unless they’re prone to only the classics, are missing out on this significant nature slant in books, at least according to a new study. The study analyzed 296 books receiving Caldecott awards from 1938 to 2008 and found that as the years go on, there have been significant declines in books that depict natural environments and animals, while what the researchers call, “Built environments” have become more common.

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Inhabitots is on Pinterest – Come Follow Our Boards!

Inhabitots is on Pinterest – Come Follow Our Boards!

Are you on Pinterest? We are! We’ve been very busy pinning all of our favorite eco-friendly toys, recycled crafts, green baby must-havesadorable organic kids clothing and so much more. Pinning is one of our newest addictions and it’s also a great way for us to share all of our amazing green finds with you – even a few goodies we …

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LOTS MORE GREAT GREEN DESIGN STORIES HERE... KEEP READING!